Dissolving biomolecules and modifying biomedical implants with supercritical
carbon dioxide
Paul B. Webb, Patricia C. Marr, Andrew J. Parsons, Harmanjit S. Gidda,
and Steven M. Howdle**
School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham,
University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
Abstract: We describe two methodologies for dissolving ionic/polar
species in scCO2. Both lead to a broadening of the range
of applications for scCO2. Fluorinated surfactants may be
used to prepare water in carbon dioxide microemulsions to allow solubilization
of ionic and biological species. We outline also the preparation of
scCO2 soluble metal precursors that can be impregnated efficiently
into polymeric substrates. Further processing by heat or UV light leads
to metallic particles distributed throughout a polymer substrate. The
clean synthesis of such composites can be applied to the development
of improved medical implants.
** corresponding author
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